Saudi authorities have closed an office of an Arab TV station after it broadcast an interview with a man speaking frankly about sex and showing off erotic toys, a government official said today.

Abdul-Rahman al-Hazza, spokesman for the ministry of culture and information, told Associated Press that the office of LBC, a Lebanese-based satellite TV station, in the western city of Jiddah was closed because of the programme and because it was unlicensed.

"The closure is indefinite," Hazza said.

The Saudi man, Mazen Abdul-Jawad, has been in detention since last Friday. Abdul-Jawad, a 32-year-old Saudi Airlines employee, has begged forgiveness from Saudi society for appearing on LBC's Bold Red Line show, in which he appeared to be talking about his sexual exploits.

His 15 July television appearance shocked many in the conservative kingdom. Saudi Arabia, which is the birthplace of Islam, enforces strict segregation of the sexes. An unrelated couple, for example, can be detained for being alone in the same car or having a cup of coffee in public. Saudis observe such segregation even at home, where they have separate living rooms for male and female guests.

The television segment began with Abdul-Jawad apparently talking about the first time he had sex – aged 14, with a neighbour. Then the divorced father of four sons led viewers into his bedroom, where he said: "Everything happens in this room."

Sulaiman al-Jumeii, Abdul-Jawad's lawyer, insisted the interview was manipulated, his client was not aware in many instances that he was being recorded and that the sex toys were provided by LBC staff.

More than 200 people have filed legal complaints against Mazen Abdul-Jawad, who has been dubbed a "sex braggart" by the media, and many Saudis say he should be severely punished.